Steam-heating apparatus



(No Model.)

F. TUDOB..

STEAM HATING APPARATUS.

FM ,5750i f/ WWW Nli'lTED fl'rarns ParnN'r rrrcnO STEAM-H EATl NGAPPRATU.

Thing part of Letters Patent No. 318,401, clate ltay 19, 1885.

Application filed January 18, 1584. (No model.)

T all witam it may concrn:

Be it known that I, Fnnnnaro TUDoR, of Boston, in the county of Suffolkand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Steam-Heating Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to the ordinary system of steam-heat-,ing forbuildi ugs, where the steam is distributed from a central source orboiler through pipes to a series of radiators throughout the building,and the condensation from which is usually returned through separatepipes to the boiler. In this system, as usual] y co nstructed for highpressure, there is no means whereby the amount of steam and consequentamount of heat can be regulated to or reduced at each radiator, andhence whenever the radiators are put in action they must always be putin full maximum action, or supplied with the full maximum or more thanthe full maximum amount of steam, the Valves on both steam and returnpipes being opened fully.

Now, the object of my invention is to enable the steam to be reduced orregulated at each radiator as may be required for the desired amount ofheat from an extreme minimum to an extreme maximum, according to thewish of the occupaut or the state of the weather, and also to dispensewith the necessity of valves between the radiators and return-pipe, andyet prevent any pressure in the returnpipe and any aceumulation orregurgitation of water therein, and also prevent the supply of more thanatrue maximum amount of steam Vto the radiator when in full action-thatis, an

amount beyond its capacity for full condensation. To these ends thechieffeature of my inven tion may be stated to consist in a supplyorifice or nozzle between the steam-pipe and the radiator having adefinite relation with the condensing capacity or surface of theradiator and with the normal steam-pressure-that is, so proportioned asto be capable of admitting only the maximum amount of steam which theradiator can eondense; hence when the steam-valve on the radiator isopened fully only the true maximum amount of steam can be admitted tothe radiator, and all this will vbe rapidly condensed therein withoutforming any pressure in the radiator or return-pipe, and the fullheating effect will be' obtained, whereas by closing` the Valvepartially the amount of steam admitted will bereduced corresponding tothe amount of closure, and the desired regulation of heat thns obtainedwithout admitting any pressure to the return-pipe, which in the presentsystem is impracticable. At the same time the use of cut-off valvesbetween radiator and return-pi pe is obviated.

My invention therefore consists, mainly, in the feature above outliued,and in certain details in combination therewith, as hereinafter fully`set forth.

In setting' forth my invention I shall describe and illustrate it inContrast with the old or ordinary system now in use.

Referring,therefore,to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 representdiagrammatic elevations of the old system, one figure showing aslightlydifferent arrangem ent of pi ping from the other. Fig. 3 is a diagram orelevation of my improved system adapted for ,very low pressure, and Fig.4 is an elevation or diagram of my improved system adapted for highpressure. Fig. 5 is an eularged sectional View of one of the graduatedor proportioned supply-nozzle used in my system.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a iudicates the boiler or source of steam,and Z) the radiators. c is the steam-pipe proceeding from the boiler andconnectiug with'one side of each radiator. and d (Z are the return-pipesproceeding from the opposite side of the radiators and extending down toconnect with the base of the boiler.

e e are the steam-throttling valves between the steam-pipe andradiators, and ff similar Valves between the radiators and returnpipes.

Fig. 1 represents the arrangement usually employed for low pressure, anindepeudent return-pipe exteudiug down directly from each radiator tothemain return-pipe in the cellar, which goes to the base of the boiler,whereas Fig. 2 rcpresents the arrangcmeut generally used for highpressure, each raci- 'ator opening into acommon return-pipe. 'Either ofthese arrangements, however, may

be used for low or high pressure, and referriug to these arrangements,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be readil y seen that when steam ICOis formed in the boiler a, and the valves ef opened, the steam will beadmitted to and condensed in the radiators b b, and the water ofcondensation will be returned from thence to the boiler, and hence heatwilll be given out at the radiators, the quantity depending on thepressure of steam and the superficial eX- tent and exposure of theradiators. It will be noted, however, reierring to Fig. 2, that in orderto have the apparatus act properly as described both valves e f must befully or equally opened to obtain the full and free admission of thesteam to the radiators and returns, so that the pressure in theradiators and returns shall be uearly equal to the pressure in thesteam-pipe; hence the radiator must always be run with a full head ofsteam, for it will be readily seen that if the steamvalves are partially closed with the view to reduce the quantity of steam and consequentlythe amount of heat emitted from the radiators the pressure will thenbecome reduced in the radiators and retilrnpipes, and the full orconfined pressure now acting upon the water in the boiler will force thewater back through the return-pipes and into the radiators,where it willaccumulate so as to deprive theboiler of its proper quantity of waterand expose the radiator to danger from frost, as well -as cause noisyshocks when this water again comes in contact with the steam; hence itis obvious that in the system descrihed a pressure must always bemaintained in the radiators and re- .t'urn-pipes, and that the heatcannot be regulated by regulating the steam-Val ves, but these valvesmust either be turned fully ou or fully off in order to raise or lowerthe heat, and no intermediate reduction or uniform low rate of heat canbe maintained.

It will be noted that the use of a check valve in the return-pipebetween boiler and radiators will not obviate the difficulty, as thewater would soon aecumulate from condensation above the check-valve andproduce the same effect. The difficulty, however, can of course beobviated in a great measure by limiting the apparatus to low pressure,so that the column of water in the lower part of the return-pipe belowthe first radiator will balance the steam -pressure in the steam-pipe,and form a seal between the boiler and return side of the radiators; butthe use of low pressure is not practicable in apparatus adapted for eX-tensive heating, and it is the use of high pressure for eXtensiveheating which my invention more particularly contemplates, although itis also adapted to low pressure, as will now appear.

The particular ditficulty above stated can of course be obviated by theuse of an ordinary VVteam-trap between the boiler and return-pipe, i asis frequently used; but while this would prevent the backing up of thewater in the returns and radiators it would not enable one V radiator toact independently of the other, so

der a full supply of steam; for it will be obvious that if the valves onone radiator Were only partly opened to let in a limited supply of steamwith a view to obtaining a reduced heat, while the valves on anotherradiator were opened wide to obtain the full heat, the high pressure ot'steam in the latter radiator would of course flow out th roughthereturns and into the former radiator until the pressure was equal, ornearly so, in both. It is therefore the independent regulation of theheat in the individual 'radiators from one extreme to the other which Iaim to accomplish, and which chiefly distinguishes my invention, as willbe now made apparent.

Referring, therefore, to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen thatcorresponding parts referred to in Figs. 1 and 2 are lettered similarly,and from this it will be noted that no throttle-Valves are used betweenthe radiators b b and the returnpipe d, which pipe is common to all theradiators. The steam-pipe c, however, instead of connecting with theradiators through an opening of indefinite and ample size, asheretofore, connects thereto through a special nozzle, nipple, orthroat, A, of restricted or definite size, having a definite relation orproportion to the capacity' or surface of the radiator-that is, the areaof the orifice of the steam supply throat A is so proportioned to thearea or heating-surface of the radiator at a certain pressurelof steamas to adrnit only1 the quantity of steam at that pressure which theradiator can fully condense under normal conditions, without allowingany appreciable pressure to accumulate in radiators or returns. Thisproportion ofthe orifice to the radiator is ofcourse determined byexperimcnt at first, for each case and each radiator of -a certainarea--may always afterward be supplied with the orifice of proper sizetherefor, suited to its surface and to the pressure to be used iu it, aswill be readily understood. I thus find that the supply-orifiee may bemade very small, and while it is not necessary to here specify theproper sizesof orifices for radiators of every size and for variouspressures, I would give the following general rule of proportion, whichI have found practical-that is, a circular hole one-47 fourth inchdiameter will pass enough steam at two pounds7 pressure to heat aradiator containing about one hundred and twenty-five square feet. I

The restricted supply throats or nozzles A may be formed, as shown inFig. 5, in the shape of an ordinary nipp'le or fittiug threadedexternally at each end and bored with an orifice of definiteproportioned size, as described,

and these may be employed to connect the steam -pipe with the radiators,as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The restricted throats may, however', be usedbetween radiator and steampipe in any other suitable way, the object, asbefore described, being to produce a restricted opening having adefinite relation to the size of the radiator, or pipes and radiatorssupplied by it, and its distauce from the source l f l w' IOO i IIO ,swlu of steam. I prefer to embody the restricted throat within thethrottle or regulating` valve itself, and I have designed for thispurpose a special form of valve, which, however, need not be describedhere., but which I have made the subject of a separate application,filed March 1, 188i, Serial No. 122,664. It will therefore be seen thatas my system uses no throttle-valves between the return-pipe andradiators, hence the return-pipe requires to be entirely free, or almostfree, from steampressure when the steam-valves e c are closed. In thelow-pressure apparatus shown in Fig. 3 this is accomplished by thecolumn of water in the return-pipe below the radiator, which will alwaysequal or overbalance the steampressure, as usual in low-pressureapparatus. In the high-pressure apparatus shown in Fig. 4, however, thereturn water discharges into a trap, D, on the return-pipe, throughwhich it is returned to the boiler, the trap illustrated being" what isknown as the lbanyi7 trap, which I prefer to employ; but any othersuitable trap may be employed. This trap is arranged on the return-pipenear the boiler in the man ner usual in high-pressure steam-heatingapparatuses, as illustrated, and checkvalvesg h are arranged on thereturn-pipe on each side of the trap and open toward the boiler in thewell-known manner, and thereby prevent the hacking up of any water inthe return-pipe. A small pipe, i, supplies a vent of steam from thesteam-pipe to the trap when the trap acts to discharge its aecumulationinto the boiler in the well-known manner. The trap is fitted with anair-valve, as shown at k, and the return-pipe is fitted with a similarairvalve, as shown at Z, which allow air to escape in advance of thesteam,l but close automatic f lly by thermal expansion as soon as thesteam arrives at and heats the valve, as well known by steam-engineers.I prefer to employ a pressure-regulator, as shown at B, to reduce andregulate the pressure between the boiler and the'pipes which supplytheradiators, and

'thus maintain a uniform pressure in the supply-pipe. This regulatorworks in the ordinary manner of pressure-regulators, as well shown inFig. 4, and therefore needs no detailed description. It will theret'orebe now nnderstood that when a steam-heating eircuit such as Fig. 3 orFig. 4 is provided with the restricted supply-throats A, as described,and means employed, as set forth, for preventing the rise of water inthe return-pipe, when the steam-valves c c are opened fully all thesteam will be admitted to the radiators which they can condense, and nomore, and hence the full or maximum heating effect will be obtained. If,however, it is now required to obtain a reduced heat in any particularradiator,it is only necessary to partially close the valve thereof, andthe amount of steam ad mitted thereto will be reduced correspondingly;and hence the ing to the degree which the valve is opened or closed,which is a novel and very important advantage in steam-heating. It willbe further seen that as the radiator can at the most receive only theamount of steam which it can fully or nearly fully condense, hencelittle or no pressure will exist in the radiator or return-pipe during;the emission of heat. and hence the condensation will flow into thereturns with eertainty, and a positive circnlation will be insured, asthe pressure will always be greater in the supply-pipe t-hanin theradiators or returns, the pressure being,` thus always greatlypreponderating in the (lirection of the flow of the water toward theboiler, as is always desirable and necessary in steamheating apparatuses['or cerl ai n ci rculation and effective action.

As it will not always be possible in extensive apparatuses to soproportion the restricted throats A as to prevent the passage throughthem of a quantity of steam greater than the radiators can condense, Iprefer to provide the apparatus in Fig. 4 with what may' be termed acondenser, O, to eondense any slight overplus of steam,and thus keep thereturns free from any objectionable amount of steam-pressure. Thiscondenser, as shown, is located, of course, upon the return-pipe, andmay be employed as a heater for heating air or water, and when theapparatus is in action it will be scen that no pressure can eXist in thereturn-pipe until this condenser is fully heated. lt will be also notedthat the rise of pressure in the supply-pipe beyond the normal point forwhich the restricted throats and their radiators are adjusted isprevented by the pressure-regulator B, and henee no excess ('an enterthe radiators and return-pipes from that cause. for when the pressurerises abnormally in the boiler the diaphragm m will act to close thesteam-valve n, so as to admit less steam to the supply-pipe, and thusmaintain practically the same pressure therein.

Having; now fully set forth my iuvention, the advantages which itpossesses may be here briefiy rccapitulated: First, a more eqnaldistribution ot' steam to the several radiators, and especially at thelowest pressure, when very little heat is desired; second, the controlof the supply of steam at any radiator or set of pipes and radiators fedby one Valve without retaining water in the radiator or interfering withthe circulation in otherradiators; third, a difference of pressure inthe supply and return pipes, whereby the circulation is rendered morepositive, condense-water is more surely kept where it belongs, and noiseand water-hammering in the pipes prevented; fourth, the expulsion of airfrom the radiators into the return-pipes, whence it may be allowed toescape at the air-valves 7a or Z, thus dispensing with theuecessity ofan air-valve on each radiator, with their complication of drip-pipes todrai n the air-valves, as is customary; fifth, dispensing with thenecessity of throttle-valves between radiators and returns.

I am of course aware that heretofore in IOO IIO

4 siaeol steam-heatin'g practice there has always been some attemptedproportion of the supplypipes to the radiators; but in all such casesthe pipe or valve is generally so proportioned as to admit a largeexcess of steam over what the radiator can condense, and not therestricted orlirnited quantity proportioned to its condensing-powerunder normal conditions, as in my imp1'oVement,wherethesupply-throat isso proportioned to the radiator as to admit only the quantity of steamwhich it can condense under normal conditions; hence in my system noappreciable pressure will exist in the radiator during its heatingaction, while a considerable pressure will exist in the old system,whose proportion of parts does not aim to limit the supply of steam tothe normal condensingpower of the radiator; but only to prevent anunnecessary excess of pressure in the radiator.

W'hat I claim as my invention is- 1. A steam-heating` apparatusconstructed wlth restricted supply-throats between supply-pipes andradiators, having a definite relation or proportion to thecondensing-surface of the radiator, so as to admit practically only theamount of steam which the radiator can condense, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

2. A steam-heating apparatus consisting of a boiler or source of steam,one or more radiators, a supply-pipe extending from the steamspace ofthe boiler and connecting with each radiator, and provided withthrottling-valves at each radiator and with restricted supplythroats soproportioned to the radiator as to admit only the quantity of steamwhich itcan condense under normal conditions, and a return-pipe withoutthrottliug-valves extending from each radiator to the water-space of theboiler, arranged and Operating substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

3. An improved steam-heating apparatus formed by the combinatiomwithasteam-boiler and a series of radiators, of a return-pipe extending fromthe water-space of the boiler and connectin` to all the radiators incommon at points above the water-line, and a steamsupply pipe extendingfrom the steam-space of the boiler to the radiators, with restrictedsupply-throats between the radiators and the supply-pipe so proportionedto the radiators as to admit only the quantity of steam which it cancondense under normal conditions, substantially as herein shown anddesoribed.

4. A steam-heating apparatus consisting of a 'such as set forth, havingrestricted supplythroats A, ,so proportioned to the radiators as toadmit only the quantity of steam which they can condense under normalconditions, between supply-pipe and radiators, and a condenser, O, uponthe return-pipe, substantially.

as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A steam-heating apparatus substantially such as set forth, having` apressure-regulator, such as B, between the boiler and radiators andsupply-throats between the supply-pipe and radiators, with a return-pipeso proportioned to the radiatorsastoadmitonlythequantity of steam whichthey can condense under normal conditions, opening freely from eachradiator and finally diseharging into the boiler, and provided withmeans to prevent the hacking up of water therein, substantially asherein set forth.

7. A steam-heating apparatus substantially as shown in Fig. 4,consisting of a boiler, a, supply-pipe c, with valves e, and restrictedthroats A, so proportioned to the radiators as to admit only thequantity of steam which they can condense under normal conditions,radiators Z) b, return-pipe d, condenser O, and trap D, arranged andOperating substantially asy herein shown and desoribed.

8. A steam-heating apparatussubstantially such as shown in Fig. 4,consisting of a boiler, a, supply-pipe c, pressure-regulator B, valvese, restricted throats A, so proportioned to the radiators as to admitonly the quantity of steam which they can condense under normalconditions, radiators b b, return-pipe d, condenser O, and trap D,arranged and Operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

FREDERIO TUDOR. Witnesses:

J No. E. GAVIN, OHAs. M. HIGGINs.

Ioo,

